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Title
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German Sporting Crossbow, c. 15th to 16th Century
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Collection Location
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Oxford, United Kingdom
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Date
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C. 1400-1500
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Location
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Likely Germany
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Description
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This crossbow is likely of German origin and was used as a sporting crossbow that is of half-sized equipment, otherwise known as a “Halberüstung.” Its stock is made of wood with richly carved bone inlay that illustrates beasts and mythical sea creatures such as mermaids and sea monsters. It features a steel prod with a safety cord at its front and two woolen pompoms and the right side of the prod. It also possesses a complex trigger system with a snap lock mechanism or “Schnepper” that would lock the string in place, though the string from this crossbow is missing. The butt of the stock is concave on its right side, acting as a cheek rest for the crossbowman. At the back of the stock is an ivory plate that has the year 1647 engraved. The crossbow also contains a backsight that is rotated to flip the cord over that is unleashed with its hair trigger. Its draw weight is approximately 700 lbs.
Measurements: Length: max 670 mm of stock, Length: max 590 mm of bow, Weight 2300 g
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Source
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Pitts Rivers Museum
